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Narrative review · PMID 41598480

Pharmacologic Treatments for the Preservation of Lean Body Mass During Weight Loss — VialBase Research

Weight loss from any method is accompanied by lean body mass loss

Last updated · 2026 · Multiple authors · Journal of Clinical Medicine
Key findings
  • Weight loss from any method is accompanied by lean body mass loss
  • GHRH agonists (tesamorelin, sermorelin) explored for muscle preservation
  • Bimagrumab, enobosarm, and GHRH agonists target different pathways
  • Most muscle-preserving drugs are in early research phases

PMID 41598480 — Lean Mass Preservation During Weight Loss

Compound: Sermorelin Citation: J Clin Med. 2026;15(2):541. doi:10.3390/jcm15020541

Summary

Narrative review addressing the problem of lean body mass loss during weight loss, particularly relevant as GLP-1 RA use increases. Reviews pharmacological agents being developed to preserve muscle, including GHRH agonists (Sermorelin, Tesamorelin), activin receptor agonists (bimagrumab), and selective androgen receptor modulators (enobosarm).

Key Findings

  • Weight loss from any modality (diet, surgery, pharmacotherapy) causes lean mass loss
  • Several mechanisms govern muscle loss: reduced protein synthesis, increased proteolysis, hormonal changes
  • GHRH agonists stimulate GH/IGF-1 axis, promoting protein synthesis and fat oxidation
  • Tesamorelin has the most clinical data among GHRH agonists for body composition
  • Sermorelin is a viable lower-cost alternative with similar mechanism
  • Most muscle-preserving drugs remain in early research phases

Relevance to Sermorelin

Positions sermorelin as part of a strategy to counter muscle loss during GLP-1 RA-induced weight loss. The GH/IGF-1 axis stimulation could complement Liraglutide or Semaglutide therapy.

PubMed

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